COMMENTARY | President Barack Obama has declared the Iraqi War over. He has gone to Fort Bragg to salute and thank the troops for their service. American troops have “turned out the lights” and closed the door. This country’s over eight-year involvement is finished. Now the questions begin; was the war worth it and what have we accomplished? Such a question involves examining the rationale for the war, the cost in lives and money and the ultimate result.
RATIONALE
The Bush Administration justified the war based upon Saddam Hussein having weapons of mass destruction, or WMDs, that were a threat to the world. The only way to prevent him from using WMDs was to invade Iraqi and overthrow his government. Sadaam did not help his cause by refusing international inspections. Of course it turned out there were no WMDs; at least, none were found. Sadaam was overthrown and his dictatorship was replaced with a democratic government. In the end the rationale became the certainty of no WMDs and the overthrow of a dictator.
COSTS
The estimated cost in money prior to the beginning of the war was 50 to 60 billion dollars; the true costs exceeded one trillion dollars, of which every penny was borrowed and added to the federal deficit. The real cost, however, cannot be measured in dollars. Approximately 4,500 Americans gave their lives and over 32,000 were wounded. The costs of treating and caring for the wounded will be paid for decades to come. The loss to society of those soldiers cannot be underestimated. When the final cost is tallied in 30 or 40 years by adding in veteran benefits and interest paid on the debt three trillion dollars is not out of the realm of possibility.
BENEFITS
The benefits of the war were threefold: elimination of the threat of WMDs, the removal of a dictator and the installation of a democratic government. The first benefit gave the world peace of mind. The second freed the Iraqi people. The third gave the Iraqis the best form of government yet devised. As a side benefit it also planted the idea in the minds of other people enslaved by a dictator that liberation is a real option.
So in the final analysis was the Iraqi War worth it? As a retired military officer I know the incredible quality of American troops and their great sacrifice. Americans should have nothing but pride and gratitude for the service in Iraq. The troops believed in the mission and feel they made a difference in the world. The lasting legacy of the war may be the series of events known as the Arab Spring. Freedom is never cheap; its cost has always been high and will remain so. If the final review and analysis of the Iraqi War is its effect on Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Syria and other countries, then the war was worthwhile. There is no price tag on freedom.
David Nakamura “At Fort Bragg, Obama Hails End of Iraqi War” http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/12/14/3595669/at-fort-bragg-obama-hails-end.html
Drew Brooks “Fort Bragg Soldiers Attend Ceremony Marking End of Iraq War” http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2011/12/15/1144091?sac=Local
CNNWorld “Report: No WMD Stockpiles in Iraq http://articles.cnn.com/2004-10-06/world/iraq.wmd.report_1_nuclear-weapons-charles-duelfer-iraq-s-wmd?_s=PM:WORLD
David M. Herszenhorn “Estimates of Iraq War Were Not Close to Ballpark” http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/19/washington/19cost.html